DOES CBD OIL EXPIRE? THE ANSWER EXPLAINED

Just like many natural products, CBD oil does have an expiration date. However, the concern of most cannabis users is when exactly CBD oil expires and what affects its shelf life.

Knowing the expiry date of any supplement is critical, and CBD is not an exception. However, the real concern is when and how long CBD oil takes to expire and what affects its shelf life. While CBD oil will eventually go bad, you can extend its shelf life by choosing a high-quality brand. According to Schauer (2021), CBD oil is very shelf-stable, meaning it stays fresh for a long time. This read discusses what influences CBD oil's shelf life and how you can keep yours fresh.

CBD oil or cannabidiol is a chemical compound or cannabinoid extracted from industrial hemp, as Corroon & Kight (2018) explained. CBD is extracted in powder form and then mixed with a carrier oil such as coconut and hemp seed oil, forming CBD oil. CBD oil was legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill in the United States because it contains less than 0.3% THC. According to Ashton (2001), tetrahydrocannabinol or THC is mainly associated with marijuana and, together with CBD, is the most abundant cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. Schilling, Melzer, & McCabe (2020) explained that the cannabis plant is a species that comprises hemp and marijuana.

THC is derived from marijuana and is mainly used for recreational purposes since it's responsible for providing a high feeling. Rather, CBD oil has been praised as therapeutic, according to research by Watt & Karl (2017), helping treat various ailments. CBD works in conjunction with the body's Endocannabinoid System (ECS), a complex communication system among cells that helps maintain a state of homeostasis within the body.

What Determines the Shelf Life Of CBD?

As earlier mentioned, CBD oil does expire, and that's why it's crucial to be aware of some of the red flags and how you can go about it. CBD oil can stay fresh for up to 3 years, depending on its quality and storage conditions. However, it's possible to lengthen the shelf life and expiration. Also, it's not always easy to tell which brands you can trust. Some merchants may offer questionable brands yet claim to be as reliable or high quality as the next. Nevertheless, CBD has a relatively long shelf life. Some of the factors that determine CBD oil's shelf life include; Learn more about how do you take cbd oil?

Brand as an Indication of Quality

CBD oil is currently unregulated, meaning many people and websites sell the product. While some will overcharge the customers, others will sell ineffective low-quality products that have very little shelf life. You also don't want to doubt that higher quality products will tend to last longer. It narrows down to things like growing condition, quality of the plants, and quality of other ingredients. As a result, it's best to shop for high-quality products that are either recommended or have excellent reviews.

Other Ingredients

CBD products’ formulation differs among manufacturers. Also, the overall content of your CBD oil matters because not all ingredients come from hemp. Ingredients such as flavorings and carrier oil have their shelf life, affecting the overall longevity. You are advised to read the product label and the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) to learn when it expires.

Extraction Procedure

Parco showed that the carbon dioxide extraction method (CO₂) is the gold standard. It maximizes the yields of CBD and other hemp compounds, making them stable. As a result, it ensures the longest shelf life of CBD oils. Ethanol extraction may be an alternative if the manufacturer can't afford the equipment required for CO₂ extraction. Products made from hydrocarbon solvents such as hexane, propane, or butane can leave a toxic residue if not expelled well, negatively impacting the product's longevity.

Storage Conditions

Most people make mistakes when it comes to storage. It’s easy to carelessly expose CBD to improper storage conditions, such as light and air exposure. If not stored properly, you increase the decay rate while reducing potency. For instance, oil stored in dark bottles helps prevent light exposure. Preventing harmful effects of UV light decays CBD oil's active compounds very slowly. Therefore, if your compound doesn't come in dark bottles, you can store your CBD oil in a dark place to make the oils last longer.

Hemp Quality

Hemp easily accumulates and absorbs every substance from its good and bad growth environment. If the soil is contaminated with heavy metals and the plants are sprayed with pesticides, they absorb them and pass them on to the final product. Although they can be removed from the extract, the purification process involves higher temperatures, which may interfere with the cannabinoid profile. Therefore, long-lasting CBD oils are extracted from hemp that has been organically farmed in clean and nutrient-rich soil.

Conclusion

CBD oil does expire just like any other product. However, that doesn't mean it has to be harmful to your body. If CBD oil expires, it may make you sick. Thus it's critical to pay attention to signs such as the smell, color, flavor, and texture of your product. Moreover, CBD oil may lose potency over time, especially when exposed to environmental factors such as light, air, and heat. We emphasize that you should be keen on proper storage to extend its shelf life.

Also, you should easily be able to tell whether the product has expired by checking the expiry date on the package. Furthermore, to correctly store CBD oil, you should prevent contamination by using a clean dropper each time you use the oil to avoid introducing bacteria into the extract. Lastly, it’s recommended to store the CBD oil in its original bottle in a cool and dark place away from direct heat and sunlight. Learn more about how is cbd oil made?

References

Parco, J. E. Effects of Pressure in Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Cannabis.

Watt, G., & Karl, T. (2017). In vivo evidence for therapeutic properties of cannabidiol (CBD) for Alzheimer's disease. Frontiers in pharmacology, 8, 20.

Schauer, G. L. (2021). Cannabis Policy in the United States: Implications for Public Health. JNCI Monographs, 2021(58), 39-52.

Corroon, J., & Kight, R. (2018). Regulatory status of cannabidiol in the United States: a perspective. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 3(1), 190-194.

Ashton, C. H. (2001). Pharmacology and effects of cannabis: a brief review. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 178(2), 101-106.

Schilling, S., Melzer, R., & McCabe, P. F. (2020). Cannabis sativa. Current Biology, 30(1), R8-R9.